From Corporate Suites to African Streets: How Venida Hudley Rewrote Her Story at 67

What if your greatest adventure didn’t begin in your 20s, but at 67? What if retirement wasn’t an end, but the beginning of your most meaningful chapter yet? What if you could turn decades of corporate experience into a year-long journey of impact, connection, and self-discovery?

That’s exactly what Venida Hudley did.

After decades of building a successful career in technology and sales roles she genuinely loved, Venida made a life-altering decision that shocked many: she retired and embarked on a solo journey across Africa. Not for vacation, but to spend an entire year volunteering, learning from communities, and immersing herself in innovation and culture across 12 African countries.

In this week’s inspiring episode of Living Ageless and Bold, host Christina Daves welcomes Venida to share the incredible details of her 335-day journey. From sorting plastic waste in Kenya to mentoring young women in Rwanda, Venida’s story is not just inspirational—it’s transformational. It’s a living testament that it’s never too late to follow your inner calling, challenge your comfort zone, and design a life that’s deeply impactful.

Whether you’re contemplating a career shift, dreaming about travel, or simply curious how one woman’s obedience turned into a continent-spanning mission of hope and innovation, this episode is for you.

The Spark That Lit the Fire

Venida wasn’t planning this transformation. It wasn’t a dream long-held or a bucket-list item. In fact, it started in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, when, like many of us, she was bored and tired of binge-watching Netflix. Looking for more meaningful ways to spend her time, Venida turned to books. One book in particular, Alicia Keys’ autobiography More Myself, ignited something deep. Alicia’s journey to rediscover her true self in Africa struck a chord. And then, as Venida tells it, the Holy Spirit whispered: “That’s what I want you to do. Retire, go to Africa for a year, and volunteer.”

It sounded outrageous, even to her. Venida wasn’t the type to dine alone, let alone travel solo through a continent she had never visited. But that divine whisper persisted. And slowly, confirmations started showing up in the form of news stories, helpful friends, and serendipitous connections. One of the most pivotal was reaching out to CBS African journalist Deborah Pata, who not only responded to her direct message but also gave her travel advice, volunteer suggestions, and even offered her a place to stay in Ghana.

Two Years of Preparation for 335 Days of Purpose

Accepting the calling was just the beginning. Venida dedicated the next two years to meticulous planning. Every morning at 5 a.m., she connected with contacts across the continent to ask questions and understand where her skills could be most useful.

Rather than pursue traditional volunteer roles, Venida envisioned a different kind of contribution. With a strong background in technology, sales, and partnerships, she focused on volunteering in places fostering innovation—universities, startups, and community businesses. She mapped out a plan to visit 12 countries, spending about one month in each, and volunteering in as many as she could.

She also took practical steps: learning how to pack light, planning transit across nations, acquiring 12 vaccinations, and funding her journey through smart investments. Five years earlier, she had invested $5,000 in ten different stocks on her sister’s advice. By the time she left, that money had grown to $30,000—enough to fund her entire trip.

Starting in Kenya: Innovation Meets Impact

Her journey began in Kenya, where Venida volunteered with Ginger Makers, a company that converts plastic waste into building bricks. For three days, she worked side-by-side with the team: sorting bricks, planting them into roads, and even giving a live Instagram sales training to help them improve their close rates.

Kenya amazed her with its innovation. She met Nellie Chaboy, founder of Tech Lit Africa and a CNN Hero of the Year, who was teaching digital skills to young children to help break the cycle of poverty. Venida also visited Samburu, a women-only village offering refuge to rape survivors. There, she helped connect them with portable Wi-Fi vending machines to increase safety and access.

She learned about M-PESA, a revolutionary mobile money system that requires no smartphone, no Wi-Fi, and no bank account. It was so transformative that it ranked above Google and Netflix as one of the most influential projects of the last 50 years.

The Power of Hospitality and Human Connection

In every country she visited, Venida experienced the warmth and generosity of strangers. From Kenya to Uganda and beyond, people opened their homes, gave her places to stay, and even hired chefs for her comfort.

One standout story was in Uganda, where a friend-of-a-friend provided her an apartment and chef for a full month. In Kenya, a woman she barely knew insisted she stay for the entire month instead of the one week originally planned. This sense of community was deeply moving.

Venida was especially inspired by the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because you are.” She contrasted this collective mindset with the often individualistic culture of the U.S. The spirit of sharing was palpable, like the young woman in Rwanda who split her rent money to help a couple in need, trusting that God would provide.

Volunteering Beyond Expectations

Venida didn’t just participate—she left a mark. In Ethiopia, she volunteered with an orphanage founded by Albina Gobena, a woman who left her wealthy husband to care for abandoned children. The orphanage has now helped over 75,000 kids.

One of her most fulfilling moments came at Davis College, where she taught a mindset transformation workshop to young women in a tech incubator. Many were technically capable but struggled with confidence. Venida shared tools to help them believe in themselves, and the impact was profound.

She also fulfilled a dream by working with a fashion designer who had shown at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. Whether ironing clothes or managing shows, she immersed herself fully, blending her passion for fashion with purpose.

What Came Next: Writing Her Legacy

After 335 days across Africa, Venida returned home with more than memories—she came back with a mission. She’s now writing a book titled Blind Faith: 335 Days Across Africa, filled with rich stories, deep reflections, and transformational moments.

But that’s not all. She’s created a coloring book for kids to help them learn about the countries she visited, their flags, and cultures. It’s a creative way to pass on what she experienced to the next generation.

Wisdom from a Woman Who Said Yes

Venida doesn’t describe herself as fearless or adventurous. Instead, she sees herself as obedient. Obedient to the voice she believes guided her through every major turning point in her life: The Holy Spirit. And when it told her, quite clearly, to retire from her job and travel across Africa volunteering for a year, she didn’t argue for long. She listened. She accepted the assignment. She said yes.

For Venida, stepping into the unknown, living among strangers, and travelling alone wasn’t about bravery. It was about trusting that every moment, every experience—whether exciting or uncomfortable—was part of something greater. That trust carried her through unfamiliar airports, language barriers, cultural shocks, and even cold water baths in rural villages.

Reflecting on the journey and the many chapters of her life before it, Venida offers grounded, gentle advice to her younger self—and to anyone feeling stuck, uncertain, or discouraged.

“Don’t get worried,” she says. “When I was at IBM, I was with them for 30 years. Just don’t get upset about where you are. Don’t allow your current situation to make you believe that it can’t happen for you.”

Her reminder is powerful in its simplicity: Every experience is purposeful. The good ones, the hard ones, the ones that make no sense until later. All of them.

Venida emphasizes the importance of staying positive, staying open, and trusting the process, especially when the path isn’t clear. Because sometimes, the calling that changes everything comes when you least expect it. And when it does, she believes, your only job is to say yes.

Final Thoughts

Venida Hudley’s journey is more than a travel story—it’s a masterclass in listening, leaping, and living with purpose. At nearly 70 years old, she didn’t just retire—she rewrote the script on what retirement could look like. She followed a calling, stepped into unfamiliar territory, and returned with stories, connections, and impact that spanned an entire continent. From ironing garments backstage at fashion shows to teaching mindset classes to young women and sorting plastic waste destined to become bricks, every experience added a layer to her transformation.

Her story is a reminder that age is not a limitation—it’s an invitation. An invitation to trust your intuition, to take bold steps, and to believe that reinvention is always possible. Venida didn’t need a roadmap; she needed faith. And with that faith, she lived 335 days with intention, generosity, and joy.

If there’s one lesson to walk away with, it’s this: sometimes the most extraordinary chapters begin when we choose to say yes—even when we don’t have all the answers.

You can follow Venida’s journey and get travel recommendations from the 12 countries she visited at her website: Venida Discovers Africa 365. It’s a free resource packed with restaurant suggestions, volunteer spots, and hidden gems.

Watch her full episode here: